Higher levels of luxury, with sophisticated new technology for safety and connectivity

NEW YORK – Cadillac today introduced the all-new 2015 Escalade, a sophisticated luxury SUV designed to establish new benchmarks for hand-tailored craftsmanship and technology.

The fourth-generation Escalade is an entirely new design yet instantly recognizable. Much of the story of Cadillac’s redesigned flagship SUV is on the interior, where new levels of luxury combine with the latest technology.

“Cadillac’s growth provides the ideal stage for the all-new Escalade to take a major leap forward,” said Bob Ferguson, senior vice president, Global Cadillac. “The 2015 Escalade is completely new and elevated in design and technology, inside and out. The clear objective is to once again assume the leadership position among luxury SUVs.”

From its introduction, Escalade quickly became the standard among luxury SUVs with a formula of bold design, powerful capability and luxurious accommodations for up to eight occupants. Three succeeding generations led luxury SUV customers to confer icon status on it. The 2015 Escalade takes design and technical elements from Cadillac’s product expansion to elevate the brand’s signature SUV.

Production of the 2015 Escalade begins next spring in Arlington, Texas. The product line will consist of the standard Escalade model, as well as the extended-length ESV edition, with offers a 14-inch-longer (355 mm) wheelbase and approximately 20 inches (508 mm) more in overall length, maximizing space for third-row passengers and 60 percent more cargo space behind the third-row seat than the Escalade. .

Offered with 2WD and 4WD drivetrains, Escalade features a new 6.2L V-8 engine that is more powerful and more efficient than previous models. Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension system, is now standard and delivers precisely controlled driving performance.

The exterior features crisp, new and more sophisticated surfaces, accented by dramatic light-emitting diode, or LED, lighting.

The new interior features cut-and-sewn and wrapped materials, with wood trim options chosen for elegance and authenticity. Seats were engineered to be more comfortable and sculpted in appearance. The new interior is dramatically quieter, too, thanks to a stronger new body structure, new and enhanced acoustic material, and Bose Active Noise Cancellation technology.

CUE, Cadillac’s advanced system for connectivity and control, is standard featuring state-of-the-art voice recognition with touch controls common with the world’s most popular tablets and mobile devices. A standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster can be reconfigured with four themes and an available head-up display projects information onto the windshield. An available Blu-Ray DVD rear entertainment system includes a nine-inch, roof-mounted screen on Escalade and two nine-inch screens on Escalade ESV.

The front seating area offers more than 1.5 inches (44 mm) more headroom and more than four inches (101 mm) of additional legroom compared to previous models while the second- and third-row seats fold flat for greater cargo versatility – and a segment-first hands-free liftgate includes programmable height settings.

Escalade’s new technologies include safety features to help protect occupants before, during and after a collision, such as Front and Rear Automatic Braking, which relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver avoid front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.

Also new is the segment’s only Front Seat Center-Mounted air bag, which is engineered to provide additional protection to drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes, where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle.

Craftsmanship defines the 2015 Escalade’s passenger space, designed to be one of the industry’s most authentic and luxurious cabins mixed with seamless technology integration for today’s connected luxury customers.

Real wood combined with premium cut-and-sewn materials and sueded accents, along with ambient lighting, were designed to add elegance to the interior design. Tight tolerances of the instrument panel and door panels, precision controls and triple-sealed doors were engineered and designed to reinforce a feeling of quality.

“An exceptional level of craftsmanship has gone into the redesign of the 2015 Cadillac Escalade, and it all centers on the premium materials and extensive use of cut-and-sew live stitching – the way fine furniture is produced,” said Eric Clough, director of design, Cadillac Interiors. “We designed Escalade with what we call the beauty of contrast. It offers a distinctive combination of bold, truck-like character, but also the refinement of the Cadillac form vocabulary and technology.”

The seats were designed to be more comfortable and sculpted in appearance with a reclining second row. The design incorporates dual-firmness foam that ensures long-trip comfort and helps retain appearance over time.

Heated and cooled seats are standard in front and second-row bucket seats have standard heat. The available second-row bench has heated outboard seats now reclines.

Intuitive technology

Technology is integral to the Escalade’s driving experience. New and enhanced features

help make what already was one of the industry’s most-connected vehicles more intuitive.

For the first time, Escalade will feature CUE standard. The eight-inch center screen uses capacitive touch technology and gesture recognition, enabling tapping and swiping common to smartphones and tablets. CUE uses proximity sensors to activate common options and controls as the user’s hand approaches. An expanded “favorites” section offers quick access to phone contacts, navigation destinations – even digital music – in the same one-touch form as traditional radio presets.

The instrument cluster features a standard, reconfigurable, high-resolution 12.3-inch digital driver information center display paired with Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system. Key data also is displayed on an available, full-color head-up display. Along with vehicle systems information, the color driver information center also provides details on the audio, Bluetooth phone and navigation systems, and they can be easily adjusted via steering wheel controls.

Precise exterior

The new Escalade’s exterior advances a 15-year legacy of design distinction with evolved character cues designed to add sophistication. Full LED lighting creates a bold new interpretation of Cadillac’s vertical light signature.

The headlamps incorporate the industry’s first Total Internal Reflection LED high-beam function, which consists of four vertically stacked crystal lenses and LEDs. The low beam consists of five crystal lenses and LEDs that create the light pattern. The Cadillac script is branded in the headlamp bezel. Tall, thin vertical LED taillamps reach to the top of the Escalade and feature the brand’s wreath-and-crest insignia, which illuminates in the dark. Escalade also features LED-illuminated door handles on the Premium Collection.

“The new Escalade’s surfacing is sophisticated, and the sectioning of the body exudes more emotion to forge a new presence for Cadillac’s iconic SUV,” said Bob Boniface, design director, Cadillac Exteriors. “Our designers worked with the studio sculptors closer than ever to translate a two-dimensional vision into a three-dimensional representation that captures your attention from afar, and then pulls you in with beautiful details in the lamps, door handles and wheels.”

New inlaid doors fit into the body side openings instead of over the top of the body, significantly reducing wind noise and contributing to improved aerodynamics that help the vehicles slip through the air on the highway with less wind drag. Active air shutters close in front of the condenser/radiator assembly at certain highway speeds to improve aerodynamics for greater efficiency. A lightweight aluminum hood and liftgate panels reduce overall mass.

Body panel gaps are tighter throughout. The new liftgate is designed to be sleeker in appearance integrates the rear window wiper into the spoiler.

“Moving the rear wiper to the top of the glass and packaging it within the contours of the spoiler resulted in a clean appearance and improved visibility,” said Boniface. “It is an example of the attention to detail in the new Escalade.”

Performance and driving experience

The performance threshold for the 2015 Escalade lineup rises with an all-new, more efficient 6.2L V-8 engine rated at an SAE-certified 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 460 lb-ft of torque (623 Nm) – a nearly 5-percent increase in horsepower and 10 percent more torque. The greater torque delivers an enhanced feeling of power on demand, particularly from a standstill and at low speeds.

The new 6.2L features state-of-the-art technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management, or cylinder deactivation, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system, designed to make the most of power, torque and efficiency across a broad range of operating conditions. More precisely controlled combustion enables Escalade to run with a higher compression ratio, which delivers greater power and greater expected efficiency.

The engine is matched with the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission with enhanced TapShift control.

Escalade’s performance is channeled to a more sophisticated chassis and suspension system, engineered for a greater feeling of solidity and a quieter, smoother ride. A fully boxed frame – composed of more than 75 percent high-strength steel – is the foundation for its ride quality. New shear-style body mounts help reduce vibrations transmitted into the vehicle.

New four-wheel-disc brake system with Duralife™ brake rotors that offer up to double the service life, along with brake pedal revisions engineered to improve pedal feel for more confident braking performance

Third-generation magnetic ride control is standard with Tour and Sport modes.

Magnetic Ride Control is a real-time damping system that delivers more precise body motion control by “reading” the road every millisecond. Damping can go from full force to lowest force in a few milliseconds, or within three inches of road travel. It replaces conventional mechanical-valve shocks with electronically controlled shocks filled with a magneto-rheological fluid containing minute iron particles. Under the presence of a magnetic field, the iron particles align to provide damping resistance almost instantly.

Security measures

The new Escalade has been designed with greater security features to thwart theft attempts, including an intrusion sensor, inclination sensor and glass breakage sensors. Along with triggering the vehicle’s alarm systems, some of the features shut down key control systems to make it almost impossible to start or move the vehicle. The security features are supported by OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance, which can help police locate the vehicle.

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring dramatic design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com. Cadillac's media website with information, images and video can be found at media.cadillac.com.

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Still looks like a dressed up Tahoe. But I wasn't expecting anything different, the Escalade is what it is. The front now has more GMC Terrain in it, and the rear has Saab 9-3 wagon tail lights. Not a fan of either of those cars. But as I said it is what it is, it's a luxury Tahoe and it has a good profit margin and there is that following that will stay pay for it. Like and Acura TL, it is just an Accord, but there are enough people that will pay the extra price for a grille and some dash trim, it makes good business sense to make it.

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Still looks like a dressed up Tahoe. But I wasn't expecting anything different, the Escalade is what it is. The front now has more GMC Terrain in it, and the rear has Saab 9-3 wagon tail lights. Not a fan of either of those cars. But as I said it is what it is, it's a luxury Tahoe and it has a good profit margin and there is that following that will stay pay for it. Like and Acura TL, it is just an Accord, but there are enough people that will pay the extra price for a grille and some dash trim, it makes good business sense to make it.

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WOW, Does the nose scream MB or what for a full size SUV. Guess if MB did ever make a full size SUV this is what it would look like.

Over all I really like the look and disagree with Paolino about the rear 3/4 view. Lovely lines, Great interior. Just need to see if it will actually fit a 6'6" tall man since their current Escalade does not.

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Love the interior, disappointed (although not surprised) with the exterior. I like that it has full height tail lights which help differentiate it, but the side panels look exactly the same as its lesser siblings. As for the front, I mostly like but wish the grill was a bit smaller and the lower intake a bit larger. I will say that its far and away the best looking nose, and therefore the best looking of the triplets.

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I was also thinking immediately of the MB GLK, more so the pre-refreshed, less melted version:

It's not that the details are the same, but the look of having a jutting, squarish nose. The horizontal bars of the grille of the Escalade also break from the current Cadillac themes, and almost look like an oversize version from a Chrysler or Hyundai car.

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WOW, Does the nose scream MB or what for a full size SUV. Guess if MB did ever make a full size SUV this is what it would look like.

Over all I really like the look and disagree with Paolino about the rear 3/4 view. Lovely lines, Great interior. Just need to see if it will actually fit a 6'6" tall man since their current Escalade does not.

MB does make a full size SUV, the GL is full size and the #1 selling full size luxury SUV.

I see GMC Terrain in the front and sides with all those straight lines.

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WOW, Does the nose scream MB or what for a full size SUV. Guess if MB did ever make a full size SUV this is what it would look like.

Over all I really like the look and disagree with Paolino about the rear 3/4 view. Lovely lines, Great interior. Just need to see if it will actually fit a 6'6" tall man since their current Escalade does not.

MB does make a full size SUV, the GL is full size and the #1 selling full size luxury SUV.

I see GMC Terrain in the front and sides with all those straight lines.

Gl might have out sold the Escalade by just 2500 units, but it cannot pull a trailer like the Escalade and does not have as much interior space. Plus the maintenance cost on the MB compared to the Cadillac SUV is huge and I would go with Escalade which has a better reliability record. MB might have cutting edge tech, but the cost of keeping it functional is way higher. Course in this group, most have the disposable cash to pay when things break.

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WOW, Does the nose scream MB or what for a full size SUV. Guess if MB did ever make a full size SUV this is what it would look like.

Over all I really like the look and disagree with Paolino about the rear 3/4 view. Lovely lines, Great interior. Just need to see if it will actually fit a 6'6" tall man since their current Escalade does not.

MB does make a full size SUV, the GL is full size and the #1 selling full size luxury SUV.

I see GMC Terrain in the front and sides with all those straight lines.

Gl might have out sold the Escalade by just 2500 units, but it cannot pull a trailer like the Escalade and does not have as much interior space. Plus the maintenance cost on the MB compared to the Cadillac SUV is huge and I would go with Escalade which has a better reliability record. MB might have cutting edge tech, but the cost of keeping it functional is way higher. Course in this group, most have the disposable cash to pay when things break.

M-B buyers also often lease so they are in and out in 3 years or so..they don't hold on to them until they get old and become money pits...

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WOW, Does the nose scream MB or what for a full size SUV. Guess if MB did ever make a full size SUV this is what it would look like.

Over all I really like the look and disagree with Paolino about the rear 3/4 view. Lovely lines, Great interior. Just need to see if it will actually fit a 6'6" tall man since their current Escalade does not.

MB does make a full size SUV, the GL is full size and the #1 selling full size luxury SUV.

I see GMC Terrain in the front and sides with all those straight lines.

Gl might have out sold the Escalade by just 2500 units, but it cannot pull a trailer like the Escalade and does not have as much interior space. Plus the maintenance cost on the MB compared to the Cadillac SUV is huge and I would go with Escalade which has a better reliability record. MB might have cutting edge tech, but the cost of keeping it functional is way higher. Course in this group, most have the disposable cash to pay when things break.

M-B buyers also often lease so they are in and out in 3 years or so..they don't hold on to them until they get old and become money pits...

True most people dump their MB before it becomes a money pit. I have had friends who bought a 2 or 3 year old MB and cursed it, same with BMW that they become money pits to keep the tech working.

In comparison, Since I have owned my Escalade ESV, I have spent a whopping $2195.00 on doing all the maintenance/repairs since I bought it new and with the miles I have put on. I do not see them as a money pit compared to MB & BMW.

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WOW, Does the nose scream MB or what for a full size SUV. Guess if MB did ever make a full size SUV this is what it would look like.

Over all I really like the look and disagree with Paolino about the rear 3/4 view. Lovely lines, Great interior. Just need to see if it will actually fit a 6'6" tall man since their current Escalade does not.

MB does make a full size SUV, the GL is full size and the #1 selling full size luxury SUV.

I see GMC Terrain in the front and sides with all those straight lines.

Gl might have out sold the Escalade by just 2500 units, but it cannot pull a trailer like the Escalade and does not have as much interior space. Plus the maintenance cost on the MB compared to the Cadillac SUV is huge and I would go with Escalade which has a better reliability record. MB might have cutting edge tech, but the cost of keeping it functional is way higher. Course in this group, most have the disposable cash to pay when things break.

I doubt people paying $70,000 for an SUV are too worried about maintenance costs, but lets also look at fuel cost. The GL350 gets 19/26 mpg, while the Escalade is 13/18 mpg. It works out to about an $800 a year savings for the GL350 even with the higher cost of diesel and putting 87 octane in the Escalade. Over 5 years you are looking at $4,000 in fuel savings for the Mercedes.

The tow ratings are pretty close too, 7500 lbs for Mercedes 8100 lbs for the Escalade AWD, and I've never seen either of these vehicle towing a trailer. !st and 2nd row leg room and head room are with in an inch of each other, 3rd row leg room the GL has a 9 inch advantage (it has a longer wheelbase) and the Escalade has an advantage in shoulder room in ever row and cargo space with the seats folded.

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You may not see either towing here in Pittsburgh, but I see them both towing in the Miami area regularly.

In San Diego a few weeks ago I saw several diesel GLs being used to tow race car trailers. Some people had the monster crew cab duallie pickups, but many had SUVs. The most eclectic tow vehicle I saw was a 5dr '55 Suburban (4 doors on the right, 1 on the left).